INSTRUMENT DETAILS

Description

G12 encompasses structural, mechanical, and design details common to measuring, testing, and scientific instruments that are not addressed by more specific instrument classes. This class covers frame designs, mountings, supports, protective housings, calibration mechanisms, and standardization features applicable across diverse instrument types. It serves as a repository for instrument-related inventions that function as enabling technologies for multiple instrument categories rather than innovations specific to a single measurement principle or application domain. Adjacent classes address particular instrument types (e.g., G01 for measuring or testing, G02 for optical instruments), making G12 essential for cross-cutting technical improvements to instrument functionality and durability.

Filing statistics

CPC G12 recorded 1,947 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 1 subclasses. Annual filings declined from 128 in 2013 to 87 in 2023 (-32%), peaking at 262 applications in 2017. The most active applicants in class G12 are BECTON, DICKINSON & COMPANY (20 applications), LANDIS & GYR (17 applications) and TIANJIN UNIVERSITY (16 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings